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We’re Thirsty!
Introduction:
Any parent
has experienced their children on a trip crying out, “I’m hungry” or
“I’m thirsty.” They might have just eaten or drank a few miles
back. This can be frustrating. Adults can be just as bad at
grumbling and complaining. Moses became very frustrated at the
children of Israel in the wilderness. They had complained when they
came to the Red Sea, (Exodus
14:11-12)
at Marah when the water was bitter, (Exodus
15:22-24)
and in the Wilderness of Sin when they were hungry (Exodus
16:2-3).
Each time God provided for their needs. Now they find themselves at
Rephidim without water. (Exodus 17)
Text:
Exodus
17
Body:
I.
They
Demand God’s Help
(Verses
1-2)
-
They
thought they were testing Moses; but they were in reality
threatening Jehovah. “Give us water or else!”
-
They
were “testing God” which is to doubt whether God will act in a
certain way. Note
Psalms 95:7-11
-
This
showed their lack of faith and their worldliness. Hebrews 3:15-19,
James 4:1-2
-
This
selfish, worldly attitude is a terrible one to have. Are you
making demands of God?
II. They
Complain Against the Lord
(Verses
3-4)
-
Jehovah
had provided for them several times before; but still they
grumbled. Note the similarity to
Psalms 106:24-27.
-
God was
testing their trust in Him.
Deuteronomy 8:2-4,
Psalms 81:7
This testing was for their good.
Deuteronomy 8:15-16,
Psalms
119:67-68, 71
III. They
Doubt Jehovah’s Presence
(Verses
5-7)
-
They had
witnessed God’s power to provide but yet they still doubt. So
Moses names the place as a rebuke to the children of Israel.
Massah (mah – SAH) test or trial and
Meribah (m’ Ree – bah) place of
strife or quarreling
-
But God
is the Rock who provides.
Psalms 105:41-42
and Isaiah 48:21
-
The
Feast of Booths or Tabernacles was celebrated each year by the
Jews as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in providing for the
Israelites during the wilderness wanderings. It was during this
feast that the following happened.
John 7:37-38
-
Note the
words of the apostle Paul in
I
Corinthians 10:1-12.
Invitation:
Jesus
satisfies our thirst for God and rescues us from death in the
wilderness of our sin.
Bobby
Stafford
March 25,
2012
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